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Gender differences in predictors of drinking behavior in adolescents
Mei-Yu Yeh1, I-Chyun Chiang, Song-Yuan Huang
1Department of Nursing, Chung Gung Institute of Technology, Taiwan. yehdiana@mail.cgit.edu.tw
Addictive Behaviors
|February 1, 2006
Summary
Paternal drinking influences adolescent boys' alcohol use, while peer influence affects girls more. Interventions should target boys' self-image and girls' peer norms and refusal skills.
Area of Science:
- Adolescent Health
- Substance Use Research
- Gender Differences in Health
Background:
- Adolescent alcohol use is a significant public health concern.
- Understanding gender-specific risk factors is crucial for effective prevention.
- Previous research has not fully elucidated the distinct pathways for male and female adolescent drinking in eastern Taiwan.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the differing risk factors for alcohol use, problem drinking, and related consequences among male and female high school students.
- To identify gender-specific influences of family, peers, and self-perception on adolescent drinking behaviors.
- To inform targeted preventive strategies for adolescent males and females in eastern Taiwan.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 771 10th-grade students from four high schools in eastern Taiwan.
- Data were collected on alcohol use, problem drinking, and potential risk factors including family drinking, peer influences, and self-image.
- Multiple logistic regression analyses were employed to examine the associations between risk factors and drinking behaviors, stratified by gender.
Main Results:
- Paternal drinking was a significant risk factor for alcohol use in adolescent boys, whereas maternal drinking was more impactful for girls.
- Peer norms and peer relationships demonstrated a stronger influence on drinking behavior in female adolescents compared to males.
- Alcohol use was more closely associated with family relationships in females than in males.
- Deviant self-image was identified as a key factor contributing to problem drinking specifically in adolescent boys.
Conclusions:
- Preventive interventions for adolescent boys should prioritize psychological distress management and the cultivation of a positive self-image.
- For adolescent girls, interventions should focus on modifying peer drinking norms, enhancing drinking refusal self-efficacy, fostering non-drinking social connections, and improving parent-child communication.
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